Participatory Plant Breeding Concept as Tool for Creating Adapted Varieties for Local Conditions

Summary

Organic farming has been developing worldwide over the last few decades. However, the crucial problem has not been resolved yet – a lack of suitable varieties. It is a serious factor limiting this development. Breeding is a very demanding and expensive process; special varieties are not bred for the organic farming from many crops then. A concept called "participatory plant breeding“ (PPB) is a possibility for resolving this problem. It is based on a direct involvement and participation of a farmer in the breeding process. Undemanding and cheap breeding methods are chosen there – they do not require any special education or equipment from the farmers involved. Training and professional surveillance are sufficient there. One of PPB methods has been already used and tested in our climatic conditions – a selection. As far as various wheat species originating from the genetic resources are concerned, the most important production parameters of original seeds and seeds coming from plants selected repeatedly have been studied and evaluated. Production parameters are positive (number of spikes, yield). Some other characteristics (the genetically-conditioned ones) are neutral or of a minimum effect. Considering results of our research, PPB method is highly recommended for improving economic characteristics of less bred or completely inbred crops.